The Buccaneer 335 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.5′, the Buccaneer 335 tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.5′ LWL = 6.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
49.5%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
223
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
22.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.00
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
994lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
22.1
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.00
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Buccaneer 335 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Buccaneer 335
138s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Us 33
138s/nm
Cs 33
150s/nm
Pearson 33
177s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (17.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Buccaneer 335 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Buccaneer 335.
|
Buccaneer 335 |
Cc 33 |
Contention 33 Peterson |
Cs 33 |
Pearson 33 |
Us 33 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.8 |
32.9 |
32.8 |
32.7 |
32.9 |
32.8 |
| LWL |
26.5 |
26.4 |
28.5 |
26.4 |
25.8 |
26.5 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.5 |
10.4 |
10.7 |
10.0 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
9 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
9 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
493 |
502 |
490 |
503 |
— |
493 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
138 |
— |
— |
150 |
177 |
138 |
| SA/Disp |
17.9 |
17.6 |
17.8 |
17.4 |
— |
17.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.5 |
41.6 |
45.5 |
42.5 |
38.4 |
— |
| Comfort |
22.1 |
23.3 |
21.4 |
23.3 |
— |
22.1 |
| Capsize |
2.00 |
1.97 |
1.98 |
1.98 |
— |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.2 |
6.9 |
— |
6.9 |